Two Hours Without Screens

When digital distractions are reduced, social spaces grow back anew.

Surabaya (ANTARA) - Amid the strong current of digital flows shaping new societal habits, regulating gadget use has become one of the most pressing issues in child protection.

The city of Surabaya, East Java, has taken an unusual step by establishing a collective break of two hours, from 18:00 to 20:00 WIB, as screen-free time for families.

This policy is not merely an exhortation but a social movement designed to restore interactive spaces that have slowly been eroded by screens.

This step stems from the awareness that children now live in a complex digital landscape. Access to information has indeed become more open, but at the same time, risks have increased, from exposure to age-inappropriate content and cyberbullying to the exploitation of personal data.

In this context, control cannot be achieved solely through technology but must be embedded in daily living patterns.

The Surabaya Without Gadgets movement is compelling because it targets the core issue, namely family relationships. The two hours without digital devices are interpreted as a recovery space, not only for children but also for parents who are often trapped in similar routines.

This policy positions the family as the frontline in digital protection, not merely as a supplement to formal regulations.

Digital Space

The development of digital technology has changed the way children learn, play, and interact. However, this change is not always accompanied by adequate digital literacy readiness.

Many children become familiar with gadgets faster than their ability to understand the risks. On the other hand, parents often lag behind in understanding the digital ecosystem used by their children.

This situation creates a supervision gap. Children can easily access various platforms, while parental control becomes limited.

In such a situation, the time restriction policy becomes a relevant initial step. Not to prohibit, but to provide clear boundaries.

The Surabaya City Government responds to this situation with a layered approach. In addition to setting screen-free hours, age-based regulations on children’s digital access are also implemented.

Children under 13 years old are limited to child-friendly applications, while older age groups remain under parental supervision.

This step shows that child protection cannot be partial. It requires a combination of regulation, education, and habituation. Without it, children will continue to be vulnerable in the increasingly open digital space.

In the education sector, gadget restrictions have shown quite tangible impacts. Interactions among students have increased, the learning atmosphere has become more focused, and communication with teachers has become more intensive. This demonstrates that when digital distractions are reduced, social spaces grow back.

A similar phenomenon is also seen in community environments. Providing public spaces such as sports fields and community activities becomes an important alternative for children to divert attention from gadgets. Physical and social activities have proven able to naturally reduce dependence on digital devices.

Nevertheless, the two-hour screen-free policy still faces challenges. In practice, not all families have the same readiness. Some can fill the time with quality interactions, but not a few are confused when gadgets are set aside.

Here lies the real challenge, namely not in the rules, but in the ability to bring meaning to life behind them.

Interactions Recover